CATASAUQUA – Two weeks ago, Palmerton and Bangor met during the regular season.

On Saturday, the two teams faced each other again with a little more at stake.

Playing in the Colonial League quarterfinal playoff round, a berth into Tuesday’s semis was on the line.

While this time around there was a different score than their previous matchup, unfortunately for the Blue Bombers, the result was the same.

The Slaters, seeded third in the league’s postseason, received a pair of goals from Priya Tellefsen to gain a 2-0 victory and advance. Palmerton, meanwhile, will be off until the start of the district playoffs.

“We knew coming in that Bangor would be both aggressive and disciplined,” Palmerton coach Meg Leadbetter said. “I truly feel we were just one step behind them in today’s contest. We created some great opportunities, but their defense did an excellent job packing the circle and making it tough for us to connect offensively.

“It’s always hard to see the opportunity end in leagues, especially knowing how much this group has grown and battled together all year.”

While a first-period tally proved to be the difference back on Sept. 29, Tellefsen’s goals in the second and third periods gave Bangor all the scoring it would need on Saturday.

Maddy Mera set up Tellefsen in the second to break a scoreless tie, and then the Slater freshman added an insurance tally in the third.

“Priya Tellefsen was definitely the difference maker today,” Leadbetter said. “Every shot on cage seemed to create a rebound or a scramble in front of our goalie, and she did exactly what she needed to do — stayed strong on the post, cleaned it up, and finished.

“I always remind my girls the goals don’t have to be pretty, and while these weren’t the prettiest, they were just as important.”

While the ninth-grader provided the only scoring, the numbers for both teams were fairly even. Both teams finished with seven shots on goal, while the Bombers held a 13-9 edge in corners.

“On paper, it’s clear this matchup was much closer than the scoreboard shows,” said Leadbetter. “Like our previous game against Bangor, we had the edge in statistics and goal opportunities.”

The Palmerton mentor was quick to credit her players, who gave a valiant effort during the loss.

“Tessa Sander continues to be a real playmaker on the offensive line, creating chances and setting up her teammates Ally Herrmann and Kylie Bonser,” said Leadbetter. “Alisyn Green controls the midfield like few others can — even though Bangor tried to slow her down today, she’s been a driving force behind our success all season and it shows in every play.”

Leadbetter also praised her goalie, Sarah Sabo, who has been steady in the cage all season.

“I always speak proudly of our goalkeeper, Sarah Sabo — she’s a natural and gives this team confidence,” Leadbetter said. “It takes a full team effort to succeed in a 60-minute game, and these girls worked incredibly hard today. While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, there’s no doubt about their commitment, determination and the outstanding field hockey they continue to play.”

Leadbetter hopes that effort continues when districts begin, most likely a week from Wednesday against Palisades.

“Now it’s all about refocusing and building momentum for district play,” Leadbetter said. “The key is reminding the girls of how hard they’ve worked all season and how much they’ve grown as a team. We celebrate the effort and lessons from this game, but we don’t dwell on the outcome. Every practice, every drill, every moment on the field is an opportunity to get better. We’ll emphasize staying sharp, keeping our energy up, and trusting each other on both offense and defense.

“The team knows what they’re capable of, and I want them to carry that confidence into the next game. Our goal is to play with intensity, focus on the fundamentals, and support each other — that’s how we’ll give ourselves the best chance to succeed in the postseason.”

FAMILIAR FRESHMAN ... Leadbetter is no stranger to Tellefsen’s talents. “I’m honored to help coach Priya at Phoenix Performance Academy, our local club team, so to see her step up and become such a vital part of her high school program is really awesome.”

SENIOR LEADERS ... The Palmerton coach spoke highly of her upperclassmen. “Year after year, these girls rise to every challenge we set for them. Each season, there’s that curiosity about who will step up to fill the shoes of the graduating class — and that’s one of the best parts of coaching. Watching younger players grow into key roles is truly rewarding. I must give so much credit to our seniors. They’ve elevated the leadership standard this year — coaching and guiding our younger players, speaking up at practice, and showing them how things need to be done. It’s like having six additional assistant coaches out there. Each one of them is a true leader in her position, and they’ve left their mark on this program.”

Bangor 2, Palmerton 0

Palmerton 0 0 0 0 - 0

Bangor 0 1 1 0 - 2

Goals: Palmerton - None; Bangor - Priya Tellefsen 2; Assists: Bangor - Maddy Mera 1; Saves: Palmerton - Sarah Sabo 5; Bangor - Abigail Coleman 3; Shots on goal: Palmerton 7; Bangor 7; Corners: Palmerton 13; Bangor 9.

Records: Palmerton (8-10); Bangor (15-4).